Albany County comptroller's office employee and former Common Council member Glen Casey officially announced his run for chief city auditor on Monday.

The citywide position is currently held by Leif Engstrom, who has not announced whether he'll seek re-election. Albany Water Department Chief Financial Officer Christopher Quirk, a certified public accountant, also is considering a run for the slot, having posted campaign material on his Facebook page.

Casey works as an auditor for county Comptroller Mike Conners alongside Councilman Frank Commisso Jr., who is running for mayor.

"The role of the chief auditor is an unpopular one. By its very nature, you are charged with investigating programs and departments for waste, fraud and abuse," Casey said in a news release. "I, however, take that challenge very seriously, and I am prepared to hold city government to the highest standards possible."

Casey served two four-year terms as councilman and previously worked as political action phone bank coordinator at the Civil Service Employees Association's legislative and political action department, as senior policy analyst for the state Assembly Labor Committee and as a special assistant when Sen. Charles Schumer was a member of the House of Representatives.

He also worked in the White House's agency liaison office and New York City Council's Oversight and Investigations Committee.

The Pine Hills resident said as city auditor he would review the red light camera program, snow removal operations and the tax assessment process to ensure "efficiency and effectiveness of city government."

The city budget also would be independently reviewed, Casey said, pointing out "clear flaws" when it comes to the city's expected revenues.

"We need independence in Albany, and I am willing to investigate those concerns that are of a persistent and pervasive nature regardless of city administration," he said. "This office will not be about blame or finger-pointing but about correcting problems to achieve better outcomes."